Donate blood

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen fewer Australians donating blood than usual. The country needs 29,000 blood donations each week, so if you are eligible and in a position to do so, it's a great time to roll up your sleeve.

State governments are increasingly clamping down on "non-essential" activities and reasons to leave the house. However, as the Australian Red Cross' Lifeblood website explains, donating blood and plasma is considered vital, and travel and venue restrictions are not preventing people from doing so (as long as guidelines about social distancing are being followed).

Donor centres are taking necessary precautions, including sanitation protocols and social distancing where possible, to ensure they are safe places to visit.

The coronavirus pandemic has seen new changes introduced to the usual eligibility criteria for donating blood, in line with World Health Organisation recommendations.

Shout a healthcare worker a coffee...

Australia's healthcare workers are on the frontlines of the pandemic, faced with rising cases, dwindling supplies of protective gear, long exhausting shifts and the risk of being exposed to COVID-19 themselves.

Aside from doing our bit to prevent the further spread of the virus (i.e. practising social distancing and self-isolating), the least we can do is shout them a much-deserved coffee or tea and send a message of support.

Buy Them A Coffee and Fuelling the Frontline are two of the initiatives making this possible in various parts of the country. Even a small donation can make a huge difference to a healthcare worker's day.

...or 'adopt' one

Don't worry, nobody's asking you to take on legal parenting duties here.

We need to rally behind our healthcare workers as they work on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle. (Getty)

However, you can put your hand up to support healthcare workers in your community via one of the many 'Adopt a Healthcare Worker' Facebook pages that have emerged from locations around Australia.

You could offer to walk their dog, to cook meals or pick up groceries for them so they don't have to battle supermarket queues after a long shift. Perhaps you live near a hospital and can offer up a free parking spot on your street. The possibilities are endless.

Search 'Adopt a Healthcare Worker' on Facebook to see if there's a group for your local area.

Become a pen-pal to a senior citizen

Self-isolation can quickly become a lonely experience, particularly for senior Australians who may be separated from their loved ones at the moment.

Care provider 'Home Instead Senior Care' has launched a nation-wide pen-pal program, encouraging Aussies to write to seniors living in care facilities or their own homes.

WATCH: Experts answer your coronavirus questions. (Post continues.)

"These messages are a simple gesture of kindness that will make a senior's day. Even from your dining room table, you can make a positive difference during COVID-19," the website explains.

Messages can be sent via email or a scanned handwritten letter, which will then be printed off and shared with the recipient.

Seniors can register via the website (or ask a loved one to register for them) to receive notes, and members of the public can sign up to send them. Click here for more info.

Make yourself known to your neighbours

If there's ever a time to love thy neighbour, it's now.

A lovely initiative that's emerged amid the coronavirus pandemic is 'connection cards', where people share their contact details and offers of assistance to people in their area on cards left in letterboxes or on doorstops.

One example of a 'calling card' you can use to offer support to your neighbours. (Twitter)

That assistance might be picking up groceries for someone who is self-isolating and unable to leave the house, or simply calling for a chat to keep someone company.

If there isn't already one for your apartment block/street/area, you could also set up a Facebook group or Whatsapp chat for your neighbourhood so residents can keep in touch and volunteer their help (and ask for assistance when it's needed).

A letterbox drop or a message posted in a building entrance can help spread the word.